The contest is in it’s 16th year — and it is an opportunity for journalists, politicians, sports figures and other celebrities to compete for the title of Funniest Celebrity in Washington.

The Funniest Celebrity in Washington Contest, now in its 16th year, is an opportunity for journalists, politicians, sports figures and other local celebrities to compete for the title of Funniest Celebrity in Washington…

There are three rules defining who can compete for the title:
* Someone who is from Washington can compete
* Someone who lives in Washington now can compete
* The person can not be a professional comedian who performs comedy for a living.

The event features anywhere between eight and twelve celebrities, each performing three to five minutes of stand-up comedy. If they prefer to do a humorous skit or song, that is fine.

WASHINGTON, DC – Washington’s most entertaining night just got funnier, as producer Richard Siegel announced more politicians, pundits, policymakers and general celebrities to compete in the 16th annual Funniest Celebrity in Washington Contest. The event takes place on Wednesday, September 30th at 7pm at the world-famous DC Improv (1140 Connecticut Ave, NW).

Also added to the show are special performances by the GEICO Gecko, star of nationwide advertising campaigns and Robert George from the New York Post. Former Funniest Celebrity champion Matt Cooper of Talking Points Memo, will also perform in a non-competitive set.

Senator Ben Nelson (D-Nebraska) will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from bringing good humor to Congress, as well as to his home state of Nebraska, where he served as Governor before joining the Senate.

Baratunde Thurston, a popular Washington-born comedian and editor of The Onion, will serve as Master of Ceremonies.

Former CNN Pentagon Correspondent Jamie McIntyre, WFED-AM anchor Chris Dorobek and WTOP-FM’s “Man About Town” Bob Madigan have been added to the list of judges. Previously announced judges include, Karen Tumulty of Time Magazine, Patrick Gavin from Politico, Margaret Carlson from Bloomberg News, Kiki Ryan and Jeff Dufour from The Washington Examiner, Clarence Page, a Pulitzer Prize winning columnist from The Chicago Tribune, and Nora McAlvanah of The National Journal will lead an all-star cavalcade of judges for the event.

Legendary ABC news anchor Sam Donaldson will throw out the ceremonial first joke.

Individual tickets for the event are $200, while a VIP package of a table for eight, seating with a celebrity and VIP reception passes costs $5,000

Proceeds from the event will benefit STANDUP FOR KIDS, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization founded in 1990 to help rescue homeless and at-risk youth. With national headquarters in Atlanta, GA, STANDUP FOR KIDS is run almost entirely by volunteers. For more information, please visit www.standupforkids.org.